Roads Rivers and Trails

Tag Archives: new outdoor outfitter

“Have you ever been in mid-preparation for your latest road trip and/or outdoor adventure and found yourself wishing that Cincinnati had a true outfitter’s store? A small, friendly knowledgeable local alternative to the sterile, ubiquitous chain?

Roads, Rivers and Trails (RRT) is now open and ready to outfit you for any adventure whether it be a weekend roadie to Asheville, a month long slog through the Bob Marshall Wilderness, or through Cincinnati’s hundreds of miles of parks and greenspace.

Located at 118 Main Street in the heart of Old Milford, RRT is owned and operated by a troika of young outdoors-persons: Joe White, Emily White, and Bryan Wolf. Each of the owners has deep roots in the community. They’re as committed to the region as they are to one another – Joe and Emily are married; Bryan and Joe are long time friends who have, amongst other adventures, driven cross country and hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trial during the winter.

RRT opened this past winter and celebrates a long tradition of specialty outfitters in Milford; occupying the same space formally held by Adventure Outfitters. In addition to selling quality outdoor gear, RRT also goes the extra mile to see that trips progress beyond the planning stages; supplying experience, encouragement and a resource library as well as meeting space in the store where co-conspirators can come together and plot their adventures.

“We want to take the time to get to know our customers and we want to provide the motivation they need to make their experience happen,” says Emily White.

The interests of the owners dovetail nicely – Emily is a University of Cincinnati grad with a business degree, Joe is finishing at UC this semester having studied entrepreneurship, and Bryan has long dreamed of owning an outfitter store.

The century old building that houses RRT is both comfortable, complete with worn wooden floors, chainsaw carved book cases and a painted tin ceiling; as well as convenient. Situated at the cross roads of all things outdoors in the Midwest, the store is at the junction of over 22,000 miles of long distance hiking, cycling and regional paddling trails which converge in Milford.

Given both their close personal affiliations, as well as their attachment to the Cincinnati area, the three UC graduates say that they are here to stay.

“We want to make Milford the adventure capital of Cincinnati,” says Wolf.”

You can find the original article and other Soapbox Media stories at:http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0405roadsriverstrails.aspx

Examiner.com “Eastern Cincinnati Has New Outdoor Outfitter”

With spring not quite here, those oriented to the outdoors often battle cabin fever by shopping for that new piece of equipment or clothing needed for upcoming hikes, backpacking trips or river outings. With the closing of Nature Outfitters early in 2010 though, the east side of Cincinnati was left without an outdoor specialty store. However, that void has been filled with the recent opening of Roads Rivers and Trails (RRT) near the Little Miami River in Milford.

Located at 118 Main Street, the store is in the same location that housed Nature Outfitters, but it is not the same store. RRT is owned and operated by Bryan Wolf, Emily and Joe White, all who have extensive experience in the out of doors. In fact, both Bryan and Joe have through-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT). I recently got a chance to discuss RRT and its philosophy with Bryan and Emily. They both displayed an energy and passion for the outdoors that should inspire those that stop in to spend more time with nature.

Emily describes the store as having “everything you need to have fun and survive in any outdoor situation.” It’s obvious that the statement not only includes the product lines, but also readily given advice, whether for a beginning kayaker or someone planning to hike the AT. Educational programs are presented regularly, and vary from a winter camping seminar to bringing in the authors of the family oriented book, Adventures Around Cincinnati, which happens on March 4.

With a facsimile of an AT shelter as a design feature, the store obviously welcomes the hiker, but the product mix provides something for everyone wanting to experience the outdoors. I expected to, and did, see items like backpacks, freeze dried food, tents and sleeping bags, but they also stock clothes, books and even vehicle racks.

Something else that sets the store apart from the “big box” outdoor retailers are the different brands that they carry. Brands that Bryan has “faith in and can believe in.” That includes Big Agnes tents, Sherpa clothing (from Nepal) and Rab (UK) clothing and sleeping bags.

While the store doesn’t have much paddling equipment at the moment, it’s on the way. Brands in that area will include Native and Liquid Logic kayaks, Wenonah canoes and Bending Branches paddles. Plans are to host demo days and to keep demo boats on hand so customers can try before they buy.

Whether you’re a hard core backpacker, beginning kayaker, Scout leader, or just need an outdoor “fix,” Bryan, Emily and Joe would love to share their love of the outdoors with you. You can stop by Monday through Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM, call at 513-248-7787 or visit their website.

You can find the original article and other articles by the Examiner.com at:http://www.examiner.com/article/eastern-cincinnati-has-new-outdoor-outfitter